Container for fragile articles



April 1936. H. c. STEVENSON ,4

CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed April 17, 1935 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Harry Clifiord Stevenson. Rochester, N. Y., as-

signor to The Rochester Folding Box 00., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 1'], 1935, Serial No. 16,860

'13 Claims.

The present invention relates to a container for various articles, such, for example, as radio tubes, electric light bulbs, and similar articles to be protected against unauthorized removal from the container before it is delivered to the purchaser or user.

One object of the invention is to provide a simplified container of this class which will be eflicient in service, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which will effectively protect the article contained therein and permit it to be examined and tested without removal therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container in which to pack and ship fragile articles such as vacuum tubes and the like from which the articles cannot be removed or separated without destroying or disrupting certain parts of the container which would be dimcult and expensive to replace.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a container of the class described means for sealing and supporting the article therein for a limited movement to a position at which it can be readily tested and examined when purchased, the container being so constructed as to afford a visible indication of any successful attempt to open and reseal the same whereby to prevent unauthorized persons from removing the article, and thus protecting the purchaser and making it possible for him to obtain the article originally packed within the container.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a'perspective view of the inner casing or tube-holding portion of the container;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the container taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of one end of the inner casing showing the slot or recess in one wall thereof for the reception of the part on the retaining member for limiting movement of the inner casing within the outer casing;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the retaining member, and

Fig. 7 is a view of the blank from which the inner casing is formed.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The invention in its present embodiment comprises a container adapted to receive a radio or vacuum tube 10 having a ba H with terminals l2, the free end of the bulb of the tube having a reduced portion l3 thereon as shown in Fig. 4.

The container is of rectangular shape and comprises an outer casing indicated generally at l4 and an inner casing indicated generally by the reference numeral l5. If desired a protective shell it of suitable packing material such as corrugated paper board, may be placed around the tube within the casing I5, as shown in Fig. 4. The outer casing I4 is of tubular construction and is preferably formed of cardboard cut and folded to provide the side walls [1, l8, l9, and 20, the latter having a flap 2| thereon suitably secured to the side wall II as, for example, by the use of adhesive material.

The inner casing I5 is formed from the Paul: shown in Fig. 7 and designated generally by the reference numeral I5a. The inner casing is open at two sides as best shown in Fig. 2, and comprises a side wall 22 having end walls 23 and 24 connected therewith. The end wall 23 has an extended section 25 thereon while the end wall 24 is provided with an extended section 26. The sections 25 and 26 are provided with reversely arranged slots 25a and 26a, respectively, to permit them to be assembled in overlapping relation and in interlocking engagement one with another as shown in Fig. 2. The sections 25 and 26 form a side wall of the inner casing opposite the side wall 22 and are firmly connected by means of their being in interlocking engagement one with another. The wall section 25 has a portion 25b projecting beyond the end wall 24 of the casing a distance substantially equal to the distance between said end wall and one end of the outer casing I 4 when the inner casing is at normal position within the outer casing as shown in Fig. 4. The purpose of the projection 25?) of.- the inner section is to support the latter against downward movement within the outer section when the container is placed in upright position with one of its ends upon a supporting surface.

The end wall 23 of the inner casing I5 is provided with an opening 21 through which the reduced portion l3 of the tube extends while the end wall 24 is provided with a larger opening 28 through which the terminals l2 of the tube project when the tube is assembled within the container, as shown in Fig.4, in which the base ll of the tube rests upon the end wall 24. It will be seen therefore that the tube is snugly confined between the end walls of the innerin the form of a flat strip or section of material having thereon and preferably formed integral therewith a ing or holding part 30 oiiset slightly at one side of the strip to engage the inner face of the side wall 22 of the inner casing when the strip has been properly assembled between said wall and the opposing wall iii of the outer casing M. The ing or holding part 30 has oppositely disposed edge portions 3| and 32 for cooperation with the oppositely positioned abutments 33 and 34, respectively, of the wall 22 of the inner casing i5 to limit movement of said casing in opposite directions within the outer casing to the full and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 4. The abutments 33 and 34 are preferably formed by cutting away a portion of the wall 22 to form an incision 35 therein through which the holding part 30 extends for engagement with the inner face of the wall 22 of the inner casing IS.

The retaining member or strip 29 has its outer edge disposed substantially flush with the outer end portion of the wall iii of the casing I4 and is rigidly secured upon said wall by means of one or more staples 35a, only one of which is shown. Other suitable sealing means may, however, be employed for securing the strip 29 upon the wall l8 of the outer casing, the idea being to employ means for this purpose which will be diflicult to remove and to replace by the substitution of similar means without visibly indicating that the container has been tampered with.

It will be understood that the normal position of the inner casing l5 within the outer casing is that shown by full lines in Fig. 4 from which outward movement of the inner casing in one direction is prevented through engagement of the portion 32 of the flxed part or lug 30 with the shoulder or abutment 34 of the inner casing l5. When, however, it is desired to move the tube to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4 for the purpose of testing the same it is only necessary to slide the inner casing within the outer casing until the abutment 33 is moved into engagement with the portion 3| of the lug 30, which can be done by holding the outer casing in one hand and pushing against the end 23 of the inner casing. After the tube'has been tested in the presence of and to the satisfaction of the purchaser or other persons authorized to receive the same the inner casing can readily be pushed back to normal position within the outer casing and the package wrapped and delivered with the assurance that the user or purchaser of the article is protected against the bootlegging activities of unscrupulous persons.

Although the abutments 33 and 34 have been formed on one of the walls of the inner casing i5 and the retaining member 29 for cooperation with said abutments secured to the opposing wall of the outer casing, this arrangement of parts can if desired be reversed so that the abutments will be disposed on or form a part of one wall of the outer casing, in which arrangement the retaining member will be fixed to the opposing wall of the inner casing.

I claim:

1. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing including side walls, an article-receiving casing within the outer casing having a plurality of side walls corresponding to and disposed adjacent a plurality of, the side walls of the outer casing, said inner casing being movable to predetermined positions within the outer casing, and a retaining member extending between twoof the adjacent side walls of said casings, said retaining member and one of said last-mentioned walls having parts thereon between the ends of the inner casing for co operation to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, and means connecting the, retaining member with one of the walls.

2. A container for radio tubes and the like. comprising an outer casing and an article-receiving casing disposed within the outer casing, one of said casings being movable longitudinally of the other in opposite directions to predetermined positions, one wall of one of said casings having oppositely disposed portions thereon, and a retaining member interposed between the wall of the casing having said portions and one wall of the other casing and connected with said lastmentioned wall, said retaining member having oppositely disposed portions thereon for engagement with the oppositely disposed portions of the first-mentioned wall to arrest the movable casing at said predetermined positions.

3. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having oppositely disposed abutments thereon, and a retaining member for the inner casing disposed between one wall thereof and a side wall of the outer casing and secured upon the latter casing, said retaining member having oppositely disposed portions for cooperation with said abutments to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions.

4. A container for radio tubes and the like. comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having a recess therein with abutments at the opposite ends of the recess, and a retaining member for the inner casing connected with the outer casing and having means within said recess for engaging said abutments to arrest movement of said inner casing at said predetermined positions.

5. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner'tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having a recess therein with abutments at the opposite ends of the recess, and a retaining member for the inner casing interposed between said last-mentioned wall and one wall of said outer casing and connected with one wall of the outer casing, said retaining member having a part disposed within said recess and extending into engagement with the inner face of said recessed wall and adapted for engagement with said abutments to arrest movement of said inner casing at said predetermined positions.

6. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having spaced abutments thereon, a retaining member for the inner casing secured between one wall thereof and a side wall of the outer casing, said retaining member having means extending between said abutments for cooperation therewith aosasae arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, said inner casing having an end wall with an opening therein for the extension therethrough of a terminal portion of the tube which is adapted to project beyond the end of the outer casing when the inner casing is in one of said predetermined positions and to lie within the outer casing when the inner casing is at another of said predetermined positions, and means connecting said retaining member with said outer casing.

'7. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing disposed within the outer casing for movement in opposite directions therein to different predetermined positions, one wall of one of said casings being recessed to provide oppositely disposed abutments thereon, a retaining member for the inner casing interposed between said wall and the opposing side wall of the other casing, said retaining member having apart extending between the oppositely disposed abutments for cooperation therewith to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, and means connecting the retaining member with said opposing side wall.

8. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to difierent predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having oppositely disposed abutments thereon, and a retaining member for the inner casing fixed to one wall of the outer casing and extending between the latter and the wall of the inner casing having said abutments, said retaining member having a part engaging the inner face of the lastmentioned wall and provided with oppositely disposed portions for cooperation with said abut ments to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions.

9. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to difierent predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having oppositely disposed abutments thereon, a retaining member for the inner casing fixed to one wall of the outer casing between the latter and the last-mentioned wall of the inner casing, said retaining member having oppositely disposed portions for cooperation with said abutments to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, said inner casing having an end wall for receiving one end of the tube and also having a part extending within the outer casing to a point adjacent one of its extremities for cooperation with a support to hold the inner casing against movement by gravity to one of said pre determined positions when the container is disposed in upright position upon said support.

10. A container for radio tubes and the like,

comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one wall of said inner casing having oppositely disposed abutments thereon, and a retaining member for the inner casing secured between the outer face of one wall thereof and the inner face of a side wall of the outer casing, said retaining member having portions for cooperation with said abutments to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, said inner casing having an end wall for receiving one end of the tube and also having a part, extending within the outer casing to a point adjacent one of its extremities for cooperation with a support to hold the inner casing against movement by gravity to one of said predetermined positions when the container is disposed in upright position upon said support.

11. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing, an inner tube-receiving casing movable in opposite directions within the outer casing to predetermined positions, one

wall of said inner casing having spaced abutments thereon, a retaining member for the inner casing secured between said last-mentioned wall and a side wall of the outer casing, said retaining member having a part for cooperation with said abutments to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, said inner casing having an end wall with an opening therein for the extension therethrough of the terminal portions of the tube which are adapted to project beyond the end of the outer casing when the inner casing is at one of said predetermined positions and to lie within the outer casing when the inner casing is at the other of said predetermined positions, means securing said retaining member upon said outer casing, said inner casing also having a part extending within the outer casing to a point adjacent one of its extremities for cooperation with a support to hold the inner casing against movement by gravity to one of said predetermined positions when the container is disposed in upright position upon said support.

12. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing including side walls, an article-receiving casing within the outer casing having a plurality ofside walls corresponding to and disposed adjacent a plurality of the side walls of the outer casing, said inner casing being movable in opposite directions to predetermined positions within the outer casing, one of said casings having an incision in one of its walls and the other casing having on the corresponding adjacent wall means extending within the incision for cooperation with portions of the wall having the incision to arrest the inner casing when it is moved in opposite directions to said predetermined positions.

13. A container for radio tubes and the like, comprising an outer casing including side walls, an article-receiving casing within the outer casing having a plurality of side walls corresponding to and disposed adjacent a plurality of the side walls of the outer casing, said inner casing being movable to predetermined positions within the outer casing, one wall of said inner casing having an incision therein, and a retaining member secured upon one wall of the outer casing and having means within said incision for cooperation with portions of the wall provided with the incision to arrest movement of the inner casing at said predetermined positions, said inner casing having an end wall with an opening therein for the extension therethrough of a terminal portion of the tube which is adapted to project beyond one end of the outer casing when the inner casing is in one of said predetermined positions.

HARRY CLIFFORD STEVENSON.

' Patent.

DISCLAIMER 2,038,454.-Harry Olwford Stevenson, Rochester, N. Y. CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES. Patent dated April 21, 1.936. Disclaimer filed July 15-, 1937,

by the assignee, The. Rochester Folding Box 00.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, and 11 of said Lettepg [0M Game August 10, 1931.1 

